Writing on an Ethiopian blade

[Martin Lubojacky]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

There is allegedly written "Mohamed Ali kubanya", which means "Mohamed Ali Co.". This is probably supplier company (I saw it on two different blades, too.). Pls post the whole picture

I learned incidentally, that founder of the Mohamedally Co. was businessman Mohamed Ally Shaikh Sharafaly. I am quoting from the book/brochure "Addis Ababa old Piazza" by Centre Francais des études éthiopiennes:He was an Indian from Gujurat. He had first set foot in Harar in the early 1890 and he made his start through business ventures with Ras Makonnen, the governor of the city/region. The firm he had created with other British-Indian partners reached its apogee in 1930s. That time it was, as it is written in the brochure, the largest "British" trading company in Ethioia.

[Terry K]

Very interesting, thanks